Recent events have made it clear to that, as a whole, mankind must conduct an honest self-assessment on an individual level. While this particular collection pertains specifically to black men, women and children, it is by no means conclusive. People of all groups should be asking themselves who they see when they look at another person. Do you see a woman, man, slave, intellectual, gangster, American, black, brown, foreigner, terrorist, refugee, deviant, rapist, bomber, selfish, destructive, sleaze, kind, gentle, strong, resilient, caring, assertive, hard-working, reliable, honest, responsible, loyal, mature, creative, capable, sensitive, perceptive, patient, thoughtful, fit, trustworthy or motivated individual? More to the point, why do you see these things?
Each of us views life through the lens of our individual experiences; even those with shared experiences view life differently. If acceptance is the ultimate goal then tolerance must first be obtained. People rarely tolerate that which they do not understand. The best way, certainly the route by which more permanent change can take place, is to understand ourselves and our individual biases. To challenge these biases and to question our own ignorance.
So I ask you, when you look at me, who do you see? Do you see ME?